Royals head to Dubai

The Royals will depart on a warm weather training camp to Dubai, as preparation for the FA Cup fifth round clash with Manchester United on Monday week.

The first team squad and staff will be based in Al-Wasl, with 26 players set to travel - though manager Brian McDermott revealed that midfielder Danny Guthrie will stay behind to be with his wife who is currently heavily pregnant.

The squad will depart on Sunday morning and return on Thursday night.

“It’ll be good to get away and train in a new environment,” said McDermott.

“Sometimes managers take a team away to get a bond or a spirit, but we’ve had that over many years. It’s about a change of environment in good weather, to get ready for the next game. This is the best preparation for the next game.”